When Things Get Chaotic, Throw Yourself Into Art
Designers Rebecca Rios and Riley Hynes shows us the power of challenging the state of the industry with their provocative line, Retox.
While there is no doubt that fashion is a form of self-expression, it’s also a product of consumer obsession– the obsession of body image, fame, status quo and over consumption. And while we constantly have the media at our disposal, there is no doubt that the constant flow of content has the ability to overwhelm and manipulate us. In a world where fashion is everywhere and overtaking the media is it’s superpower, it’s important for us to take a step back and reflect on our consumption and the meaning behind our clothes.
Founded by Riley Hynes and Rebecca Rios, Retox is set out to do just that. Conceptualized in Florence, Italy, and headquartered on the East Coast, Retox is an ode to calling out the status quo of the industry with badass pieces that not only look incredible but force us to reflect. At Retox, every piece has a story that takes on its own meaning. Their first capsule collection presented at NYFW featured oversized silhouettes aimed to give the us the idea that the models are being consumed. Their 80’s professional garments are oversized, and their line was designed to mimic a corporate dystopia—think, blade runner, terminator, ect. When discussing their collection, co-founder Riley Hynes gave us the inside scoop on the revolution that is Retox. “Taking contemporary Ideas and portraying them through the lens of vintage media. We took Ideas around Drugs, sex, depression, misinformation and repackaged them to help spark a conversation. We wanted to turn heads. Each piece has a unique story we hope to share with the customer and eventual owner so that they can spread the message of each piece with us. For Instance we have a jacket plastered with HEROIN In large letters. We are first off in no way promoting the use of drugs or trying to romanticize them. We see though the omnipotent permeation of drugs throughout our culture through the media we consume such as music, tv, film, and social media. The vintage take Is meant to make you think about contemporary Issues In the same way that we look at old Improper advertisements. Sellers used to bottle "snake oil" and sell It as a medical miracle cure, Coca Cola used to sell their coke with cocaine In It, and sexual desire used to be repressed and taboo. We take the stance that those are unhealthy things that we can see now are bad, and yet we are living In a world where we are surrounded by deception and misinformation that consumes us. This Is our artistic take on calling out the Irony of this reality, that we think we are smart enough to judge the past and deem It Incorrect yet we accept the world we are living In and are blind to many of the same Issues. We like to think change has happened, but It Is the same story repackaged with a new bow ontop.”
With their innovative line, Hynes and Rios have been able to create incredibly well-crafted sustainable garments that are upcycled and made in small batches. When upcycling and creating patches for their pieces, they use ecofriendly inks, print emulsion, and always make it a priority to limit waste. When speaking with HOKU, Hynes dove into how poetry is deeply intertwined with Retox’s mission and overall vibe. “Poetry Is one of my favorite forms of expression. I worked on a chapbook titled //DISORDER//INCUBATION//ISOLATON// which was partially published and tackled a lot of the same Ideas as this line. The poetry Is all done to be digested slowly and to add a visual element to the reading experience. The largest piece that we showcase In our collection, titled DIET // CRIME // DELINQUENCY Is called "The Objects Of Proper Love." The poem Is about unsustainable love, and that knowledge that this moment Is not forever even If we want It to be. It Is about knowing that you can love things that are bad for you, and prompts the reader to think about what "Proper Love" Is. Poetry Is best digested by the reader, so I will let the readers come to their own conclusions.”
After shooting with Retox, there was no doubt that this brand has the potential to disrupt the industry in more ways than one— showing us that going beyond the status quo is not only invigorating and exciting, but also has the power to drive us to be more conscious and advocate for change. Not only did we absolutely drool over the collective coolness and craftsmanship of each piece, but we were inspired to look deeper within our own mission. We’re confident that Retox’s pieces will stand the test of time, making each piece an absolutely necessary staple in every wardrobe that will challenge your perspective and guarantee compliments wherever you go.
